Myths and Legends of the World

Tannhäuser

Tannhäuser was the name of a wandering poet who lived in Germany
during the
A.D.
1200s. This historical figure became the subject of a famous legend.

pagan
term used by early Christians to describe non-Christians and
non-Christian beliefs

According to the story, Tannhäuser one day came across an
underground cave that happened to be the home of Venus, the Roman goddess
of love. He remained with Venus for a year but eventually came to yearn
for the life he left behind. When Venus agreed to let him return to the
world, he went to Rome to ask Pope Urban IV to forgive him for making love
to the
pagan
goddess. However, Urban said that Tannhäuser could no more be
forgiven than the pope's wooden staff could produce fresh flowers. Three
days later, the staff began to blossom, and Urban, realizing his mistake,
sent messengers to find Tannhäuser. However, denied forgiveness,
Tannhäuser had already returned to Venus's cave to spend the rest
of his days with her. Richard Wagner's opera
Tannhäuser
from 1845 is based on this story.

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